Schools

Polka’s imaginative productions are inspiring, innovative and provide the perfect introduction to the magic of theatre.

Hundreds of schools and nurseries visit Polka each year to experience thrilling, world-class theatre that can also provide plenty of opportunities for follow-up activities. Polka productions are accompanied by a full education programme which includes teachers resource pack and a range of workshops.

On this page you’ll find information on how we can make your trip hassle-free, and also find out about the range of services we provide for schools. Free tickets are available through Polka’s Curtain Upscheme for eligible schools. SEN groups can make the most of their visit with our free Arts Accesspackage.

We look forward to welcoming your school to Polka!

Booking a school trip

Free tickets for teachers: One teacher or accompanying adult goes free for every ten children. Teachers are also entitled to two free tickets for the first week of each Polka production, in order to preview a show before booking for a class.

Reserving tickets: To book tickets for your class, call the Box Office on 020 8543 4888, call the designated Schools’ Booking Line on 020 8545 8333 or email schoolbookings@polkatheatre.com.

You can reserve tickets over the phone and we will then email an invoice.

Payment must be made no later than 6 weeks before the date of your visit. Please be certain of your numbers when paying as no refunds can be made once payment is received.

Schools’ performance times: Always check the start time of your performance with Box Office. The Main Auditorium opens 20 minutes before the start of the performance, the Adventure Theatre just 5 minutes.

Refreshments: Drinks, ice-creams and lollies are available but must be ordered in advance. You can download an order form here or contact our Front of House department on 020 8545 8334.

Packed lunches: We can accommodate packed lunches for a £10 fee but this must be pre-booked with the Box Office. Click on the links below to download the Polka refreshment form.

School Workshops

The magic of Polka in your school

Polka’s experienced team of actors, directors, storytellers and puppeteers are on hand to deliver a range of workshops in your school. Whether it’s a puppet-making session exploring your favourite pets, a storytelling masterclass to celebrate World Book Day, a drama workshop discovering the wonderful women who have changed the course of history or a chance to develop your poetry skills – we will create a bespoke workshop for you and your pupils.

Arts Access

At Polka, we are dedicated to improving access to theatre for all children, and we appreciate that extra care is needed when organising a trip for a special needs group.

Arts Access is a unique package for SEN and for units within mainstream schools. It has been developed to ensure that children with special needs who visit Polka have as full and stimulating an experience as possible. Arts Access benefits are:

A free pre-show school visit from one of our experienced workshop leaders, in order to prepare your group for their visit

A dedicated usher and a designated area of refuge for the duration of your visit

A free hour-long multi-sensory drama workshop at your school after the show

In addition, Polka offers:

Full wheelchair access

Touch tours of the stage and actors for visually-impaired children

An induction loop in our Main Theatre for hearing-aid users

BSL-interpreted performances

Printed and audio copies of the scripts performed

Synopses of the performances

A secure playground for your class to enjoy before or after the performance

If you would like to apply for the school visit scheme, please download an application form and return it to matthew@polkatheatre.com

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8545 8329.

Arts Access is supported by John Horniman’s Children’s Trust and Wimbledon Foundation.

Playhouse

Schools to perform a new play written by one of Britain’s top playwrights on Polka’s Main Stage in July 2018.

Playhouse is a national collaboration between Plymouth Theatre Royal, York Theatre Royal, Bristol Old Vic, Birmingham Rep and Polka Theatre. The five theatres work together to commission professional playwrights each year to write short plays specifically for large casts of young people aged 8 to 11 years to perform. There will be 5 festivals performing the new plays across the UK

Each theatre works with 6 schools in their city and supports the development of the teacher as a director. The project is launched with representatives from all schools coming together for a 2 day retreat with the writers. Following the retreat, the teachers then return to school to rehearse the play with professional development opportunities throughout.

Teacher Resources

Polka has a selection of teacher resource packs based on our main house productions, available here to download for free. These packs focus primarily on creative, practical drama activities and literacy exercises that support the development of language and communication.

Freefalling

Freefalling is Polka’s free youth theatre for children experiencing challenging circumstances at school or at home. Children are referred to the project by an adult involved with the child in a professional capacity: For example, a teacher or social worker. Children who are referred to the project will usually have an interest in drama but no experience is required to access and enjoy this creative opportunity.

Freefalling is run by a team of experienced theatre professionals; sessions are designed to improve and develop participants’ confidence, teamwork and speaking and listening skills through games and role-play, while also introducing a range of theatre skills and techniques. After several weekly drama sessions that run throughout the Spring and Summer term, and a final, intensive summer school, the project climaxed with the production of a new play, devised and performed by the participants, on the main stage at Polka.

Freefalling is only available to children attending school or living in the London borough of Merton

For more information about the project please email John McCraw, Freefalling Project Manager at john@polkatheatre.com.

“They have all engaged more with their school work, leading to distinct improvements in their reading and writing skills. They all have also grown in self confidence and have been better able to cope” A Head Teacher on Polka’s Freefalling project

Work Experience 2018

Each year, a group of year 10 and 11 students get the opportunity to experience life in a real working theatre. They will experience all areas of theatre production and talk to members from each department at Polka.

The next Work Experience Week will take place from 16th – 20th July 2018.

The latest we can receive applications is 9 February 2018 and will have contacted all students by 9 March 2018 if we are able to offer you a place. We are now receiving and processing applications, so please return your form as soon as possible.

Arts Award

Polka Theatre is an Arts Award Supporter. We offer a variety of activities to support children in achieving their Discover and Explore Arts Awards. The Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification for children and young people aged 5 – 25 years old and can be delivered in a number of ways including; theatre visits, one-off workshops and after school clubs.